Alchemy’s overarching goal is to protect our clients and our therapists and staff from contracting COVID-19 while also providing you with the quality, professional hands-on and virtual therapy that enhances your life and helps you feel better.

COVID-19 Exposure Closing Policy

Due to the infectious nature of COVID-19 Alchemy Healing Arts Center has prepared to respond to a variety of situations where a client, therapist, or staff member may have been exposed to or diagnosed as having the virus. Alchemy will fully participate in any Contact Tracing as required by the Anne Arundel or Maryland Health Department.

These protocols may change with new information from the CDC, State of Maryland Department of Health, and local Anne Arundel County Health Department advisories.

In the event that a client reports a positive COVID-19 test, symptoms, or a pending test within two weeks of a session at Alchemy Healing Arts Center:

• The therapist will self-isolate/quarantine themselves for 14 days from the time of exposure or as advised by the Anne Arundel County Health Department.
  
• The therapist will obtain testing and follow guidelines below if they receive a positive test.
  
• Therapist will not return to work until a negative test has been received or when advised they can do so safely by the Anne Arundel County Health Department.
  
• Clients who visited Alchemy concurrently or later in the same day as  the client will be notified and provided with information that does violate the HIPAA protections of other clients. It is suggested they then seek further guidance from their health care provider or the Anne Arundel County Health Department about being tested and self-isolation/quarantine.
  
• If client’s test result subsequently comes back as negative, with clearance from their doctor or the Anne Arundel Department of Health the therapist can end the self-isolation and return to work before the end of the14 day time period.

 
In the event that an active Alchemy Therapist, Practitioner, or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, exhibits symptoms, or has a pending test:

• Alchemy will close for 24-48 hours for an additional thorough cleaning.
  
• All clients who had sessions (close contact) with the therapist and clients who might have exposed due to the timing of their session will be notified immediately. It is suggested that they seek further guidance from their primary care doctor, an urgent care clinic, or the Anne Arundel County Health Department.
  
• Any other Alchemy Therapists and staff who may have had close contact or potential exposure will self-isolate for 14 days and be tested and follow the guidance above for the situation of a client testing positive.
  
• The Therapist/Practitioner/Staff Member will not return to work until they are cleared with two negative tests, and will also follow any other guidelines from their doctor or the Anne Arundel County Health Department. This might be shortened if accurate testing determines that they are not infected.
  
• Alchemy will contact and follow further recommendations from the Anne Arundel County Health Department.

Closure due to a dangerous increase in local cases:
If there is a local spike in COVID-19 infections and it is recommended or required that Alchemy close, we will do so again.

Contact tracing:
An investigative technique that can help slow or stop the spread of an infectious disease by tracking the contacts and exposures of an infected individual. Then individuals at risk can be tested and self-isolate, thus slowing the spread, especially in cases of asymptomatic infection.

Alchemy Healing Arts Center will comply with all contact tracing efforts of the Anne Arundel County Health Department. While we will do our best to protect your privacy as required by HIPAA, we must also provide contact information as required.
 
Definitions from the CDC:
Self-Quarantine: You should monitor your health for fever, cough and shortness of breath during the 14 days after the last day you were in close contact with the person who had COVID-19. You should not go to work or school, and you should avoid public places for 14 days.
NOTE: in addition to these guidelines, we recommend that if a person has been informed that they have been exposed to the virus, they should get tested if possible.

Close Contact:  a) Being within 6 feet of a person who has the virus for 30 minutes or more (Note: some experts reduce the “safe” exposure time to 10 minutes or more.)
b) having unprotected direct contact with infectious secretions or excretions of the patient (e.g., being coughed on, touching used tissues with a bare hand).

To learn more about our amended and updated protocols please choose the links below:

• Overview of Protocols and Background
  
• Office Cleanliness, Sanitation, and Disease Prevention Protocols
  
• Enhanced Client Safety Protocols
• Intake and COVID-19 Screening Forms
• Therapist, Practitioner, and Staff Commitments and Protocols
• COVID-19 Response and Closing Protocols in the case of an infection in a client, therapist or staff member
• Amended Cancellation Policy

Alchemy Healing Arts Center is committed to doing all we can to keep you and our therapists, practitioners, and staff safe.
We require your help to do that, please answer our questions truthfully, and reschedule if need be.